US first lady Melania Trump was greeted by a small number of protesters when she arrived in Malawi on the second leg of her Africa trip on Thursday.
A handful of people were holding protest signs, one of which read: "Welcome to Malawi. #NOTASHITHOLE!" as Melania Trump drove past.
It was the first sign of protest - be it small - since US President Donald Trump's wife landed on the continent. The US president reportedly called some African countries "shitholes" earlier this year, causing diplomatic furore.
The first lady, who arrived in Malawi after two days in Ghana, was clad in a fawn shirt-dress and had ditched her usual stilettos for flats.
Her first engagement was a visit to a primary school where excited children greeted her with a welcome song.
The Slovenian-born former model then observed several classes, which were held outdoors, and saw about 200 children take part in each lesson.
Trump gave out some footballs branded "Be Best," the slogan of the child well-being initiative she launched last May.
In a speech at the US ambassador's residence later in the day, the first lady said the school visit had been "an amazing experience."
"Meeting those children and understanding their different way of life is why I wanted to travel here," she said.
The White House said Malawi was chosen as a destination because of the high poverty rate and the difficulties children - especially girls - have in accessing education.
Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world, according to the International Monetary Fund.
Next, the first lady is scheduled to have tea with her Malawian counterpart and watch a ceremonial dance performance.
